WEEK 2!!!

Hellooo and Ciao Everyone!!

Ciao Is such a nice word....one of the ones I really know how to say at this point..lol.

Wow guys what a week....So much to say and so little time, but let's start with monday. I went to the consulate with 25 other Italy Missionaries at 6 in the morning...Yes sleep doesn't exsist here, but somehow I manage to wake up everyday. We went up town for our visa's, and it WAS SO NICE to be in the real world again...To meet and talk to people, and to just be out in the city. I forgot to say last week, but There are 45 missionaries in our zone...CRAZY RIGHT? Lots of missionaries going to Italy, (1/2 to Rome, 1/2 to Milan.) A cool story about an elder in my District...Anziano Jackson. As all of us are struggling with the language, he was too but really showed it while we started language study, you could just tell how overwhelmed he got. So me and my 2 Sorelle decided to include him in our prayers everyday. Well guess what....Out of all the elders in our district, he got called zone leader, and that Just goes to show you god Is SO AWARE of each of us, and knows exactly what we need. That's just one small example, but everyday if it's anything from understanding 5 more words, or learning something new, God blesses us with so much, and sometimes we just overlook the small things that really mean SO MUCH.

So a few funny things that happened, well...first, In one of our lessons, I realized that I was telling our investigator that god Is the pope instead of our father...haha I mean moments like that really make you laugh and reminds me i have A LOOONNNGGG WAYS to go. Also in another lesson, Our investigator was saying all this stuff about how she doesn't believe in god, and then right after I ask, So do you believe in god? SHe gives me this really confused look, I just smile cause I have no Idea what is going on, and my comps are laughing, and me secretly crying inside..haha The language barrier is so hard, but I know Overtime It will come. :) Also we always sing happy birthday to Anziano Harrison at lunch and he gets so mad!! Haha it's the daily routine, and the whole cafeteria joins in...it's seriously HILARIOUS!

Also Anziano baker is from texas and Sorella Hoareau (From France) tries to speak in his accent with her french accent and I cry Every time! Never heard anything like it in my entire life....seriously too good too good!

ANNDDD...Every morning, no joke I wack my head on the stinkin bars above my bunk. It's the worst and I don't know how I haven't developed a goose-ache yet (Not how you spell it) But I do it every morning, and you'd think by now I would have learned my lesson....well let's hope by next week I'll have it figured out. ;) lol Choir on sunday was great! I love singing in it, and our choir director was gone, so we had a sub, and Seriously about died laughing! Cute little fella, and wow he KNEW HOW TO LEAD MUSIC!! A few times I thought he was going to fall off his stand from loosing his balance...lol he got really into it!

Tuesday we had a devotional and It was given by Vai Sikahema...he has played for BYU then was drafted to the Cardinals, and then on to the Packers! He was so inspiring and talked about how we can use our influence for good, that Through example, not words but example, we can impact so many lives. Sunday was the best, and WOW IT's FALLLLLL!! I love the colors, but hate the cold. Please snow don't come until after I leave....I am not ready for the winter part, but This time of year is always so beautiful. We watched the restoration video That night, and I have to say...I thought I was an emotional person, but then I became a missionary. The spirit was so strong and man Joseph Smith Was truly a prophet of god. I mean How could This 14 year old boy who Didn't have hardly any education translate the Book of Mormon in 85 days....Because he had god working on his side, and that right there is a testimony to me that Joseph was Truly called of god.

Also this week I have had a really hard time sleeping, and This week has been a little harder than last week. I do miss everyone a lot, and sometimes I feel So inadequate like I don't know enough, like I will never get the language, and lots of other things...but I have truly realized that without Christ I couldn't do this, and that's why I am here. Not only to help others come unto Christ, but to help myself come unto Christ too. The Anziani in my district gave me a blessing, and I felt so much better after. I am so grateful for the power of the Priesthood.

Last night Me and Sorella Weeks taught a lesson all by ourselves...Sorella Hoareau wasn't there to help us....she litterally is a life savor cause she knows the language so well! We were so nervous, but wow guys, I have never come out of a lesson so uplifted! I was sharing the first vision, and Just paused and started crying as I looked in our Investigators eyes and bore my very simple but strong testimony that I knew It was true. She started crying, and the spirit was so strong...the holy ghost is the true teacher, and last night I witnessed that. It was awesome, so on a positive note, I can now say the first vision, and a few scriptures in Italian...SO it's coming;) We taught a family yesterday too from Italy that are converts, and I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO GET TO ITALY!! I didn't even know these people and Had such a strong love for them. THey were so kind, so loving, and had the strongest testimonies ever! They spoke so fast, and yup.....AGain i have a long ways to go but it's Va Bene;) I got asked to teach relief society on sunday, so that will be fun;) Lots of teaching opportunities here and it's great! Also times when It's hard, I see missionaries here (a few of them) who are unable to walk well, scooting their feet across the floor, and realizing that these elders and sisters are here because they love the lord and want to serve him despite their inability to walk. Their examples strengthen me everyday! WE CAN ALL DO HARD THINGS!! ANyways guys I love you guys so much and thank you so much for all the emails, and prayers. I truly feel so grateful, and love being a missionary!

I have met so many friends here, people who will be my friends forever, and although there are days I feel like I just can't do it, I remember Christ never gives up on us, so Why would I ever give up on him? Never forget that guys....he would never give up on us, so always remember there are 2cd, 3rd, 10, 55 chances...he always is there with his arms reached out.

quote of the week: "I can do all things through Christ which Strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13 Have a great week everyone!!!

Love Sorella RIndlisbacher

Sister Paulson (friend From high school)